# Do boaters launching from Ashbridges Bay Boat Launch need a Power Vessel Operator's Permit?

**Category:** Visitor Guide
**Verified:** 2026-06-14
**Canonical:** https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com/en/knowledge/ashbridges-boat-licensing-exemption-rules
**Authority:** https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

Boaters launching directly into Lake Ontario from Ashbridges Bay Boat Launch are exempt from needing a Power Vessel Operator's Permit.

## Detailed answer

The Ashbridges Bay Boat Launch, located at 55-65 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto, ON M4L 3A7, allows boaters to launch directly into Lake Ontario, bypassing Toronto Harbour waters. As a result, operators are exempt from needing a Power Vessel Operator's Permit, also known as a PLE (Pleasure Craft Operator Card) or a boat license. According to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, a PLE is required to operate a pleasure craft with a motor power of 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more in Canadian waters, including Toronto Harbour. However, since the Ashbridges Bay Boat Launch provides direct access to Lake Ontario, boaters can avoid navigating through Toronto Harbour, thereby avoiding the requirement for a PLE. The launch facility operates from 7 am to 11 pm, and the fee for launching is $10 per day, or $35 for an annual pass. In 2022, the City of Toronto reported over 43,000 boat launches at Ashbridges Bay, highlighting its popularity among boaters.

## Related

- https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com/en/knowledge/ashbridges-boat-licensing-exemption-rules